By John Montesano
The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club Herschel Luckinbill Veterans of the Month for August 2022 are the many veterans serving in military service organizations; the veterans who continued their service as civilians in support of veterans, their families, and the community. The main organizations are: American Legion (started om 1919); Amvets (1944); Marine Corp League (1922); Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) (1899); Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) (1978)
Although each organization may differ in its focus group, each has similar missions: Promote American patriotism; honor military service; seek full access to quality health care for veterans; aggressively be an advocate on issues important to veterans; seek the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs; support the next generation of U.S. war veterans; ensure the care of veterans and their families; promote children and youth; and serve our communities.
These organizations are accomplishing these missions every day and have been for many years.
Unfortunately, membership in these organizations has been steadily dwindling for the past 20 years which puts stress on the remaining members to fulfill their goals.
Many veterans acknowledge that making a transition from military to civilian life can be difficult, physically, and mentally. Many are not interested in getting involved in any military service organization. Many do not realize that it is for them and their comrades that these organizations exist and that it is not only about compensation or health issues.
It has caused an aging in memberships at a time when the infusion of younger, more recent, veterans is needed. Whether it is to serve their veteran or civilian community, these individuals are needed. Some times just being involved and supporting something bigger than oneself can be cathartic.
I encourage all veterans to get involved in an organization in their town that appeals to them. I would be remiss, as an officer, if I did not mention that Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84 of the American Legion in Aurora would be an excellent choice. If you are looking for a less formal group, there is the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club. It meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7 a.m. at the Oswego American Legion, with breakfast available for $10.. It is a casual social gathering of mostly veterans.
Veterans, we need you to get involved and join up!